PONTIAC -- When Jackie Overton realized it was time to renew her driver's license a few months ago, she thought: "What are they going to tell me?"?

That's because she's 97.

Overton didn't have anything to worry about; her license was renewed, and is good through 2016. She has, however, sold her car.

"I felt like it was about time for me to quit," she said.

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When asked who takes care of her clean, neat home, she said, "I do."

Overton said she doesn't sit still. "That keeps me going," she said.

A candlelight service at Providence Missionary Baptist Church will be given at 6 p.m. Sunday. It's an idea Overton, known as the mother of the church, first thought of 33 years ago.

"It was a vision that God gave me," she said. "I decided I wanted something different for the church."

This year's service will feature male choirs representing 11 different Pontiac churches.

Overton first organized the event with seven other people, including the late Donald Cordell, who was Director of Fine and Performing Arts for the Pontiac School District and Minister of Music at New Bethel Baptist Church.

"They're all gone but me," Overton said of the original organizers of the candlelight service.

Providence Missionary Baptist Church fills up for the event, said Pastor Robert Martin.

"Over the years, most of the churches (in the city) have participated at one time or another," he said.

Overton said she's proud of the service, and it's "one thing we look forward to every year."

The nonagenarian has six grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren. She was married to Edgar Overton, who died in 1974. She celebrated her birthday on Nov. 29.

Overton has worshipped at Providence for 64 years.

"I love Providence," she said. "That's my home."

Overton, who moved to Pontiac from her native Forest City, Ark. in 1942, said the city has changed immeasurably in the time she's spent here.

"I just can't fit in the words to say it," she said. "I just couldn't tell you everything I've seen change in Pontiac -- but I'm still here."

Overton made stops in St. Louis, Chicago and Indiana on her way to Pontiac.

"I guess once I got here, I couldn't leave," she said. "I get around alright. I still can do for myself, and that's good."